Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An apparatus comprising: a storage system comprising a plurality of storage devices and a storage controller; the storage controller being configured: to monitor a differential between a storage volume of the storage system and a previous snapshot generated for that storage volume; and responsive to the monitored differential satisfying one or more specified conditions, to generate a subsequent snapshot for the storage volume; wherein monitoring the differential between the storage volume of the storage system and the previous snapshot generated for that storage volume comprises: maintaining a first counter indicative of a total amount of data in the storage volume; maintaining a second counter indicative of an amount of data in the storage volume that has been written since generation of the previous snapshot; and monitoring values of the first and second counters; wherein generating the subsequent snapshot for the storage volume responsive to the monitored differential satisfying one or more specified conditions comprises generating the subsequent snapshot responsive to the value of the second counter satisfying a specified condition relative to the value of the first counter; and wherein the storage controller comprises at least one processing device comprising a processor coupled to a memory.
The invention relates to a storage system with intelligent snapshot generation. The problem addressed is inefficient snapshot management, where snapshots are either taken too frequently, consuming excessive resources, or too infrequently, risking data loss. The solution involves a storage system with multiple storage devices and a controller that dynamically generates snapshots based on monitored changes to a storage volume. The controller tracks two counters: one for the total data in the volume and another for data written since the last snapshot. When the difference between these counters meets predefined conditions (e.g., exceeding a threshold percentage of total data), the controller generates a new snapshot. This ensures snapshots are taken only when significant changes occur, optimizing storage efficiency and reducing unnecessary operations. The storage controller includes a processing device with a processor and memory to perform these functions. The system avoids rigid scheduling, adapting to actual data changes for more effective snapshot management.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the storage volume comprises at least one logical storage volume comprising at least a portion of a physical storage space of one or more of the storage devices.
This invention relates to data storage systems, specifically apparatuses for managing storage volumes in distributed or virtualized storage environments. The problem addressed is the inefficient allocation and management of physical storage space across multiple storage devices, leading to wasted capacity and complexity in tracking storage utilization. The apparatus includes a storage volume management system that creates and manages logical storage volumes, which represent portions of the physical storage space from one or more storage devices. These logical volumes abstract the underlying physical storage, allowing flexible allocation and dynamic scaling of storage resources. The system enables the logical storage volume to span multiple physical storage devices, improving utilization and simplifying administration. The apparatus further includes mechanisms to map logical storage addresses to physical storage locations, ensuring data is correctly stored and retrieved across the distributed storage devices. This mapping allows the system to optimize storage allocation, balance workloads, and handle failures by redistributing data as needed. The logical volume abstraction also supports features like snapshots, replication, and tiered storage, enhancing data management capabilities. By decoupling logical storage from physical storage, the apparatus provides a scalable and efficient way to manage storage resources in complex environments, reducing overhead and improving performance. The system is particularly useful in cloud storage, virtualized environments, and distributed storage architectures where dynamic resource allocation is critical.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein generating the subsequent snapshot for the storage volume responsive to the monitored differential satisfying one or more specified conditions comprises: scheduling the generation of the subsequent snapshot; and generating the subsequent snapshot in accordance with the scheduling.
This invention relates to data storage systems, specifically to methods for managing snapshots of storage volumes. The problem addressed is the inefficient and unpredictable generation of storage volume snapshots, which can lead to excessive resource usage or missed critical data capture points. The apparatus includes a storage volume and a snapshot manager. The snapshot manager monitors differential data changes between a current snapshot and the storage volume. When the monitored differential satisfies specified conditions (e.g., reaching a threshold size or time interval), the snapshot manager schedules and generates a subsequent snapshot. The scheduling ensures that snapshots are created at optimal times, balancing resource usage and data integrity. The apparatus may also include a storage medium for storing the snapshots and a processor for executing the snapshot management functions. The invention improves snapshot management by dynamically adjusting snapshot generation based on monitored differential changes, reducing unnecessary snapshots while ensuring critical data is captured. This approach optimizes storage efficiency and system performance.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the one or more specified conditions comprise a specified minimum amount of change in the storage volume relative to the previous snapshot of the storage volume.
A system monitors changes in a storage volume to determine when to create a new snapshot. The system compares the current state of the storage volume to a previous snapshot and calculates the amount of change. If the change exceeds a predefined threshold, the system automatically generates a new snapshot. This ensures snapshots are taken only when significant modifications occur, reducing unnecessary storage usage and computational overhead. The system can be configured to track various types of changes, such as file modifications, deletions, or metadata updates, and applies the threshold to the cumulative impact of these changes. By dynamically adjusting snapshot creation based on actual data changes, the system optimizes storage efficiency while maintaining data integrity. The method involves continuously monitoring the storage volume, comparing it to the last snapshot, and triggering a new snapshot only when the detected changes meet or exceed the specified minimum threshold. This approach prevents excessive snapshots for minor changes, conserving storage resources and improving system performance. The system can be integrated into existing storage management solutions or deployed as a standalone tool for automated snapshot management.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the specified minimum amount of change in the storage volume is specified in terms of at least one of: a minimum number of storage units of the storage volume that have changed since generation of the previous snapshot; and a minimum percentage of the storage volume that has changed since generation of the previous snapshot.
This invention relates to data storage systems, specifically to methods and apparatus for managing snapshots of storage volumes. The problem addressed is efficiently determining when to generate a new snapshot of a storage volume to balance storage efficiency and data recovery needs. Traditional snapshot systems may generate snapshots at fixed intervals or based on arbitrary triggers, which can lead to either excessive storage usage or insufficient recovery points. The invention provides an apparatus for managing snapshots of a storage volume, where a new snapshot is generated based on a specified minimum amount of change in the storage volume since the last snapshot. The apparatus includes a storage volume, a snapshot generator, and a change detector. The change detector monitors the storage volume to determine the amount of change, which can be measured either as a minimum number of storage units (e.g., blocks or files) that have changed or as a minimum percentage of the storage volume that has changed. The snapshot generator creates a new snapshot when the detected change meets or exceeds the specified threshold. This ensures snapshots are generated only when significant changes occur, optimizing storage usage while maintaining adequate recovery points. The system can be configured to use either or both of the minimum number of storage units or the minimum percentage as the trigger for snapshot generation.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein generating the subsequent snapshot for the storage volume responsive to the monitored differential satisfying one or more specified conditions comprises generating the subsequent snapshot responsive to the value of the second counter exceeding a specified threshold that is determined based at least in part on the value of the first counter.
This invention relates to data storage systems, specifically to methods for generating snapshots of storage volumes based on monitored differentials between data states. The problem addressed is the need for efficient and adaptive snapshot generation to balance storage overhead with data protection requirements. The apparatus includes a storage volume and a monitoring system that tracks changes to the volume. A first counter measures the total amount of data written to the storage volume since the last snapshot, while a second counter tracks the amount of data written to the volume within a recent time window. The system generates a new snapshot when the second counter exceeds a threshold, which is dynamically adjusted based on the first counter's value. This ensures snapshots are taken more frequently when data activity is high, while reducing unnecessary snapshots during periods of low activity. The threshold calculation may also incorporate other factors, such as storage capacity or performance constraints, to optimize snapshot frequency. The approach improves storage efficiency by avoiding excessive snapshots while maintaining adequate data protection.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the value of the second counter satisfying a specified condition relative to the value of the first counter comprises the value of the second counter reaching a specified percentage of the value of the first counter.
The invention relates to a system for monitoring and comparing counter values in a computing or electronic apparatus. The problem addressed is the need to detect when a secondary counter reaches a specific threshold relative to a primary counter, enabling precise control or triggering of operations based on proportional relationships between the two counters. The apparatus includes a first counter and a second counter, where the second counter's value is compared to the first counter's value to determine if it meets a specified condition. The condition is defined as the second counter reaching a predefined percentage of the first counter's value. This allows for dynamic threshold detection, where the second counter's value is evaluated in relation to the first counter's value rather than a fixed absolute value. The system can be used in applications such as performance monitoring, resource allocation, or safety mechanisms where proportional relationships between counters are critical. The comparison may trigger actions such as alerts, adjustments, or system interventions when the specified percentage is reached. The apparatus ensures accurate and responsive monitoring of counter relationships, improving system reliability and efficiency.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second counter is reset in conjunction with the generation of the subsequent snapshot.
The invention relates to a system for managing data snapshots in a computing environment, particularly addressing the challenge of efficiently tracking and resetting counters associated with snapshot generation. In data storage systems, snapshots are point-in-time copies of data used for backup, recovery, or analysis. A key technical problem is ensuring accurate tracking of data changes between snapshots while minimizing computational overhead. The apparatus includes a first counter that tracks changes to data blocks between a current snapshot and a subsequent snapshot. A second counter is used to monitor changes to metadata associated with the data blocks. To maintain consistency and accuracy, the second counter is reset in synchronization with the generation of the subsequent snapshot. This reset ensures that the second counter accurately reflects only the changes occurring after the snapshot is taken, preventing accumulation of outdated or irrelevant metadata change data. The system may also include a mechanism to compare the values of the first and second counters to detect discrepancies, which can indicate potential errors or inconsistencies in the snapshot process. The invention improves the reliability of snapshot-based data management by ensuring that metadata change tracking is properly reset, reducing the risk of errors in subsequent data recovery or analysis operations. This is particularly useful in high-availability storage systems where frequent snapshots are generated to maintain data integrity.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein maintaining a given one of the first and second counters comprises: detecting one or more overwrites of existing data of the storage volume; and leaving the value of the given counter unchanged responsive to each of the one or more detected overwrites.
This invention relates to data storage systems, specifically a method for managing counters in a storage volume to track data overwrites. The problem addressed is the need to accurately monitor data changes in a storage volume while distinguishing between new data writes and overwrites of existing data. The invention provides an apparatus with first and second counters that track data writes to a storage volume, where the counters are selectively maintained based on whether the writes are new data or overwrites. When an overwrite of existing data is detected, the corresponding counter's value remains unchanged, ensuring accurate tracking of only new data writes. The apparatus includes a storage volume, a first counter for tracking writes to the storage volume, a second counter for tracking overwrites, and a controller that detects overwrites and adjusts the counters accordingly. The invention ensures that the counters reflect only unique data writes, preventing overwrites from incrementing the counters, which is useful for data integrity verification, deduplication, and storage optimization. The system dynamically distinguishes between new data and overwrites, improving storage efficiency and accuracy in data tracking.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein maintaining the second counter comprises: accessing an address-to-hash structure for the storage volume; determining if one or more portions of the storage volume have changed since generation of the previous snapshot based at least in part on respective corresponding entries of the address-to-hash structure; and updating the second counter based at least in part on the determining.
This invention relates to data storage systems, specifically to efficient snapshot management in storage volumes. The problem addressed is the computational overhead and resource consumption associated with tracking changes in storage volumes for snapshot generation, particularly in systems where frequent snapshots are required. The apparatus includes a storage volume and a snapshot management system that maintains a first counter representing the number of snapshots taken and a second counter representing the number of changes in the storage volume since the last snapshot. The second counter is updated by accessing an address-to-hash structure associated with the storage volume. This structure maps storage addresses to hash values representing the data at those addresses. The system checks the address-to-hash structure to determine if any portions of the storage volume have changed since the last snapshot by comparing current hash values with previously stored values. If changes are detected, the second counter is incremented accordingly. This approach reduces the need for full volume scans, improving efficiency in snapshot operations. The method ensures accurate change tracking while minimizing computational overhead, making it suitable for high-performance storage environments.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the previous snapshot and the subsequent snapshot comprise respective point-in-time replicas of the entire storage volume.
This invention relates to data storage systems, specifically a method for efficiently managing and comparing snapshots of a storage volume. The problem addressed is the computational and storage overhead associated with creating and comparing full snapshots of a storage volume, which can be resource-intensive and time-consuming. The apparatus includes a storage volume and a snapshot management system. The system captures a previous snapshot and a subsequent snapshot, each representing a complete point-in-time replica of the entire storage volume. The snapshots are compared to identify differences between them, allowing for efficient tracking of changes over time. The comparison process may involve analyzing metadata or data blocks to determine modifications, additions, or deletions between the snapshots. The apparatus may also include a storage medium for storing the snapshots and a processor for executing the comparison operations. The system can be configured to generate incremental snapshots based on the differences identified, reducing storage requirements and improving performance. The invention may further include mechanisms for restoring data to a previous state using the snapshots, ensuring data integrity and availability. This technology is useful in environments where frequent snapshots are needed for backup, recovery, or version control, such as in enterprise storage systems, cloud computing, or database management. The efficient comparison of full snapshots enables faster recovery and reduced storage overhead compared to traditional methods.
12. A method comprising: monitoring a differential between a storage volume of a storage system and a previous snapshot generated for that storage volume; and responsive to the monitored differential satisfying one or more specified conditions, generating a subsequent snapshot for the storage volume; wherein monitoring the differential between the storage volume of the storage system and the previous snapshot generated for that storage volume comprises: maintaining a first counter indicative of a total amount of data in the storage volume; maintaining a second counter indicative of an amount of data in the storage volume that has been written since generation of the previous snapshot; and monitoring values of the first and second counters; wherein generating the subsequent snapshot for the storage volume responsive to the monitored differential satisfying one or more specified conditions comprises generating the subsequent snapshot responsive to the value of the second counter satisfying a specified condition relative to the value of the first counter; and wherein the method is implemented by at least one processing device comprising a processor coupled to a memory.
This invention relates to data storage systems and addresses the challenge of efficiently managing snapshot generation to balance storage overhead and data protection. The method monitors changes in a storage volume by tracking two counters: a first counter representing the total data volume and a second counter representing data written since the last snapshot. The system compares these counters to determine when the differential between the current state and the previous snapshot meets predefined conditions, such as exceeding a threshold percentage of the total data. When the condition is satisfied, a new snapshot is generated. This approach optimizes storage usage by avoiding unnecessary snapshots while ensuring critical data changes are captured. The method is executed by a processing device with a processor and memory, enabling real-time monitoring and automated snapshot generation. The solution improves efficiency in backup operations and reduces storage consumption by dynamically adjusting snapshot frequency based on actual data changes rather than fixed time intervals.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein generating the subsequent snapshot for the storage volume responsive to the monitored differential satisfying one or more specified conditions comprises generating the subsequent snapshot responsive to the value of the second counter exceeding a specified threshold that is determined based at least in part on the value of the first counter.
This invention relates to data storage systems, specifically methods for managing snapshots of storage volumes. The problem addressed is the inefficient and unpredictable generation of snapshots, which can lead to excessive storage usage or insufficient data protection. The method involves monitoring differential data changes between snapshots of a storage volume. A first counter tracks the total amount of data written to the storage volume since the last snapshot, and a second counter tracks the amount of data written to the storage volume within a recent time window. When the second counter exceeds a specified threshold, a new snapshot is generated. The threshold is dynamically adjusted based on the value of the first counter, ensuring that snapshots are generated more frequently when data changes rapidly and less frequently when changes are minimal. This adaptive approach optimizes storage efficiency while maintaining adequate data protection. The method also includes comparing the differential data to a predefined pattern to detect anomalies, such as sudden spikes in write activity, which may indicate a security breach or system failure. If an anomaly is detected, additional snapshots may be triggered to preserve data integrity. The system can also prioritize snapshots based on the criticality of the data being written, ensuring that high-priority data is protected more frequently. This adaptive snapshot generation improves storage management by balancing performance, storage usage, and data protection.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein the previous snapshot and the subsequent snapshot comprise respective point-in-time replicas of the entire storage volume.
The invention relates to data storage systems, specifically methods for managing and comparing snapshots of storage volumes to detect changes. The problem addressed is efficiently identifying differences between two snapshots of a storage volume to track modifications, optimize storage, or ensure data integrity. The method involves capturing a previous snapshot and a subsequent snapshot, where each snapshot is a complete point-in-time replica of the entire storage volume. The snapshots are analyzed to determine differences between them, such as added, modified, or deleted data blocks. This comparison allows for efficient tracking of changes without scanning the entire volume each time, reducing computational overhead and improving performance. The method may also include generating a change log or metadata that records the detected differences, which can be used for various purposes, such as incremental backups, data recovery, or version control. The snapshots may be stored in a compressed or deduplicated format to save storage space while still allowing accurate change detection. By comparing full volume replicas at different points in time, the method ensures that all changes are accounted for, even if they span multiple files or directories. This approach is particularly useful in environments where data integrity and change tracking are critical, such as enterprise storage systems or cloud-based data management platforms.
15. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium having stored therein program code of one or more software programs, wherein the program code when executed by at least one processing device causes said at least one processing device: to monitor a differential between a storage volume of a storage system and a previous snapshot generated for that storage volume; and responsive to the monitored differential satisfying one or more specified conditions, to generate a subsequent snapshot for the storage volume; wherein monitoring the differential between the storage volume of the storage system and the previous snapshot generated for that storage volume comprises: maintaining a first counter indicative of a total amount of data in the storage volume; maintaining a second counter indicative of an amount of data in the storage volume that has been written since generation of the previous snapshot; and monitoring values of the first and second counters; and wherein generating the subsequent snapshot for the storage volume responsive to the monitored differential satisfying one or more specified conditions comprises generating the subsequent snapshot responsive to the value of the second counter satisfying a specified condition relative to the value of the first counter.
This invention relates to a computer program product for managing storage snapshots in a storage system. The problem addressed is the inefficient generation of storage snapshots, which can consume excessive resources if performed too frequently or fail to capture critical changes if performed too infrequently. The solution involves a dynamic snapshot generation mechanism that monitors changes in a storage volume to determine when to create a new snapshot. The system maintains two counters: a first counter tracks the total data volume, while a second counter tracks the amount of data written since the last snapshot. By comparing these counters, the system evaluates whether the differential between the current state of the storage volume and the previous snapshot meets predefined conditions. If the conditions are satisfied—such as when the written data exceeds a threshold percentage of the total volume—the system generates a new snapshot. This approach ensures snapshots are created only when significant changes occur, optimizing storage efficiency and performance. The method avoids unnecessary snapshots while ensuring critical data changes are captured.
16. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein generating the subsequent snapshot for the storage volume responsive to the monitored differential satisfying one or more specified conditions comprises generating the subsequent snapshot responsive to the value of the second counter exceeding a specified threshold that is determined based at least in part on the value of the first counter.
This invention relates to data storage systems, specifically to methods for generating snapshots of storage volumes based on monitored differential changes. The problem addressed is the need for efficient and adaptive snapshot generation to balance storage usage and data recovery capabilities. Traditional snapshot systems often generate snapshots at fixed intervals or based on arbitrary triggers, which may lead to excessive storage consumption or insufficient recovery points. The invention describes a computer program product that monitors differential changes in a storage volume by tracking two counters. The first counter measures the total amount of data written to the storage volume since the last snapshot, while the second counter measures the amount of data written to the storage volume within a recent time window. When the second counter exceeds a specified threshold, a new snapshot is generated. The threshold is dynamically adjusted based on the value of the first counter, ensuring that snapshots are generated more frequently when there is a high rate of data changes, while avoiding excessive snapshots during periods of low activity. This adaptive approach optimizes storage usage and ensures critical data changes are captured without unnecessary overhead. The system may also incorporate additional conditions to further refine snapshot generation, such as time-based triggers or manual overrides.
17. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the value of the second counter satisfying a specified condition relative to the value of the first counter comprises the value of the second counter reaching a specified percentage of the value of the first counter.
This invention relates to a computer program product for monitoring and managing system performance, particularly in environments where multiple counters track different metrics. The problem addressed is the need for an efficient and accurate way to compare and correlate values between two counters to determine when a specific condition is met, such as one counter reaching a certain percentage of another. The solution involves a computer program product that evaluates the relationship between a first counter and a second counter, where the second counter's value must satisfy a predefined condition relative to the first counter's value. Specifically, the condition is defined as the second counter reaching a specified percentage of the first counter's value. This allows for dynamic threshold-based monitoring, where actions can be triggered when the second counter's value crosses the threshold percentage of the first counter. The program product may include instructions for comparing the counters, calculating the percentage, and executing predefined actions when the condition is satisfied. This approach is useful in performance monitoring, resource allocation, and system optimization, where relative metrics need to be tracked and acted upon. The invention ensures precise and automated decision-making based on the relative values of the counters, improving system efficiency and responsiveness.
18. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the second counter is reset in conjunction with the generation of the subsequent snapshot.
A system and method for managing data snapshots in a computing environment addresses the challenge of efficiently tracking and resetting counters used in snapshot generation to ensure data consistency and integrity. The invention involves a computer program product that includes instructions for generating a snapshot of a data storage system at a first point in time, where the snapshot captures the state of the data at that moment. A first counter is used to track changes to the data after the first snapshot is generated. When a subsequent snapshot is generated at a later point in time, a second counter is reset in conjunction with this process. The reset ensures that the second counter accurately reflects changes made to the data after the subsequent snapshot, preventing inaccuracies in change tracking. The system may also include a mechanism to compare the first and second counters to determine the extent of modifications between snapshots, aiding in data recovery, version control, or backup operations. The invention improves the reliability and efficiency of snapshot-based data management by ensuring counters are properly reset, which is critical for maintaining accurate change tracking and ensuring data consistency across multiple snapshots.
19. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein maintaining a given one of the first and second counters comprises: detecting one or more overwrites of existing data of the storage volume; and leaving the value of the given counter unchanged responsive to each of the one or more detected overwrites.
This invention relates to data storage systems, specifically a method for managing counters in a storage volume to track data modifications. The problem addressed is ensuring accurate tracking of data changes while distinguishing between new writes and overwrites of existing data. The invention involves a computer program product that maintains two counters: one for tracking new data writes and another for tracking overwrites. When an overwrite occurs, the counter for new writes remains unchanged, ensuring that only truly new data increments the counter. The system detects overwrites by comparing the data being written to existing data in the storage volume. This approach prevents overwrites from being mistakenly counted as new data, providing more accurate metrics for data management, auditing, or compliance purposes. The invention is particularly useful in environments where distinguishing between new and overwritten data is critical, such as in backup systems, data integrity verification, or regulatory compliance tracking. The counters are dynamically updated based on real-time detection of write operations, ensuring continuous and precise monitoring of data changes.
20. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein maintaining the second counter comprises: accessing an address-to-hash structure for the storage volume; determining if one or more portions of the storage volume have changed since generation of the previous snapshot based at least in part on respective corresponding entries of the address-to-hash structure; and updating the second counter based at least in part on the determining.
The invention relates to data storage systems, specifically to efficient snapshot management for storage volumes. The problem addressed is the computational overhead and resource consumption associated with tracking changes in storage volumes to generate consistent snapshots, particularly in systems where frequent snapshots are required. The invention provides a method for maintaining a counter that tracks changes in a storage volume between snapshots. The method involves accessing an address-to-hash structure associated with the storage volume, which maps storage addresses to hash values representing the content at those addresses. The system then checks whether one or more portions of the storage volume have changed since the last snapshot by comparing the current hash values in the address-to-hash structure with those from the previous snapshot. If changes are detected, the counter is updated accordingly. This approach reduces the need for full volume scans, improving efficiency in snapshot generation and management. The address-to-hash structure allows for quick identification of modified data blocks, enabling incremental updates to the counter without exhaustive comparisons. This method is particularly useful in high-performance storage systems where minimizing latency and resource usage is critical.
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June 23, 2020
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